Anembryonic pregnancy, also known as anembryonic pregnancy or bland ovum, is a common complication of early gestation that can result in early pregnancy loss. Despite its prevalence, anembryonic pregnancy is often difficult to diagnose in the office. In this article, we will talk about anembryonic pregnancy, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
What is an anembryonic pregnancy?
An anembryonic pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, but an embryo does not form. In its place, a structure called the gestational sac develops. The gestational sac is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the developing embryo in the early stages of pregnancy. In this, the gestational sac forms, but the embryo does not develop. For this reason, this is often known colloquially as “huero huero”.
What are the causes?
The causes of anembryonic pregnancy are not completely clear, but so far it is known that they are related to genetic or chromosomal problems in the egg or sperm. It can also be caused by a poor implantation of the fertilized egg in the wall of the uterus. Although the is common, it is not known why it happens so often.
Symptoms of anembryonic pregnancy
Anembryonic pregnancy often has no early symptoms and most women who experience it do not know they have it until a prenatal ultrasound is performed. However, some women may notice changes in their body, such as nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue, which are common in early pregnancy and therefore go unnoticed.
How is it diagnosed?
Anembryonic pregnancy is diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. An ultrasound is usually performed between the 6th and 8th week of pregnancy, to confirm its existence and verify the development of the embryo. If an embryo is not detected on ultrasound, additional tests will be done to confirm the diagnosis of anembryonic pregnancy.
Treatment of anembryonic pregnancy
Treatment depends on the length of the pregnancy and the general health of the mother. In most cases, if it is diagnosed early, the woman is advised to wait for the body to expel it naturally. If this does not happen, it may be necessary to perform a medical procedure to remove the tissue from the gestational sac.
In rare cases, when an anembryonic pregnancy is diagnosed later in the pregnancy, it may be necessary to perform a curettage to remove tissue from the uterus. It is important to note that these procedures are relatively safe, but always carry some risk.
Prevention of anembryonic pregnancy
There are no specific measures to prevent it. However, leading a healthy lifestyle and receiving proper prenatal care can help reduce the risk of complications in early pregnancy.
Some measures that can help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications include:
- Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy: Folic acid is an important vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects in the fetus and may reduce the risk of early pregnancy complications, such as stillbirth.
- Avoid smoking, consuming alcohol and drugs: Smoking, alcohol use, and drugs can increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including anembryonic pregnancy.
- Keep a healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of complications, including anembryonic pregnancy.
- Receive adequate prenatal care: It is important to receive adequate prenatal care from the beginning of the pregnancy in order to identify any health problems early and take steps to avoid complications.
In summary, although there are no specific measures to prevent anembryonic pregnancy, living a healthy lifestyle and receiving adequate prenatal care can help reduce the risk of complications in early pregnancy.
Anembryonic pregnancy without bleeding
It is possible to experience it without experiencing bleeding. It is important to note that the lack of vaginal bleeding does not necessarily mean that the pregnancy is viable. If you suspect that something is not right with your pregnancy.
When is an anembryonic pregnancy expelled?
The time in which it is expelled can vary from person to person. In some cases, the body can naturally expel the gestational sac tissue without additional medical treatment. In other cases, it may be necessary to perform a medical procedure to empty the uterus.
The natural expulsion of tissue from the gestational sac can occur over a variable period of time, from a few days to several weeks after the diagnosis has been confirmed. The body can expel the tissue through the vagina in the form of blood clots, similar to those experienced during menstruation.
In some cases, the body does not expel the gestational sac tissue naturally. In these cases, it may be necessary to perform a medical procedure to empty the uterus. This is done through a procedure called curettage. These procedures are performed under anesthesia and are usually done on an outpatient basis.
It is important to note that if you experience pain, fever, heavy vaginal bleeding, or any other concerning symptoms, you should notify your doctor immediately, as these symptoms may indicate a complication of anembryonic pregnancy or miscarriage.
At IVI we can help you
Naps looking for pregnancy and you don’t get it, at IVI we can help you. Given the difficulty of achieving a pregnancy naturally, it will be the specialist who, with the diagnostic tests necessary decide what is the most effective assisted reproductive treatment.
